Crusaders announce team for important clash against Blues - Super Rugby News
The Crusaders have announced their side for another nail biting contest of Super Rugby season, against the Blues on June 11, in Timaru. The fixture will decide the top ladder derby of New Zealand and has a real significance for the playoff stages. Recently
the Blues are topping the tables among the other New Zealander conferences with 55 points.
The Crusaders made the announcement of their 15 starting players and seven reserves today morning. They made four changes in their team from their previous match against the Queensland Reds, played on May 29. The Crusaders have included Sam Whitelock, Andy
Ellis, Matt Todd and Ben Franks in their side. On the other hand, their skipper Richie McCaw, Chris Jake, Willi Heinz and Wyatt Crockett would watch the match on the benches.
Willi Heinz is out with an injury to his thumb and McCaw was ruled out of match due to a foot injury. The other two players have been dropped from the side due to unimpressive performances. And Ellis and Sam Whitelock have been included in the side after
long absences in a crucial match. Whitelock is especially lucky to be included in the side as he has not played any match for the Crusaders in the last 10 weeks. He marked his presence in the team last against the Sharks in Twickenham, on March 27.
Whitelock was very happy and amazed at his fortunes to be included in the side. He told the reporters that, "Ideally anyone injured wants to come back earlier rather than later. I was hoping maybe the Reds game, but I probably wasn't quite ready and it wouldn't
have been the best for the team."
He further said that he has played a club game before this all important match which was very exhausting. He added, “After that game, the whole body was a little sore – it was probably the shock of being out there, running around and going from rucks, to
lineouts, to scrums, but I really enjoyed it.”
The Crusader will take on the Blues in their next match of Super Rugby on Saturday, June 11, in Timaru.
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